*[Quoting Ken Peck to Leah Rozhon]
On 01-22-97  12:06, [About Riding]*
 LR> That would be fine if more than a handful of commuters used a bike.
 KP> Of course, as long as most bicyclists have that attitude there will
 KP> never be more than a handful of bicycle commuters.  In the end, it
 KP> requires individuals who decide to use bicycles as their means of
I agree with this, but some of us are more courageous than others when
it comes to competing with automobiles.  I'm not brave. :-)   And when
you think about it, the timid on the road can sometimes be more of a
hazard to themselves and motorists than it would be a help.  I already
know I can be intimidated by traffic.
 KP> There needs to be more battling on commuter trains and busses.  It is
 KP> absolutely ridiculous to try to combat air pollution and make it
 KP> impossible for folks to use bicycles to get to and from mass transit
 KP> terminals. 
 
It's money, Ken.  That's the bottom line.  I'm always hearing about
stretched budgets for the different transportation agencies aroound
here?  There would have to be expensive modifications to trains and
buses for this to happen.  And I think the ultimate answer would be more
taxes.  Nobody around here is going to go for that!  Now if there was a
way to get rid of gov't waste.......
 KP> First, I would point out that right now one of the critical issues is
 KP> before Congress and involves the renewal of the Intermodal Surface
 KP> Transportation and Environment Act (ISTEA or "Ice-Tea").  At issue is
I'm familiar with ISTEA.  And yes, the Chicago area gets significant
funds.  Right now the emphasis here is on a trail system.  It's nice,
and it's fun to ride, but it's mostly recreational.  Forget using it
dependably for 6 or so months of the year for biking.  Skiers use it in
the winter and would not like it cleaned and maintained for bicycles.
It's *very* expensive to acquire the land and make a trail.  I was
reading in an area biking publication recently where our ISTEA funds
were going, and it was mostly, if not all, for a continuance of this
system.  Bike commuters need what motorists have--a safe surface to
ride on year around.  I don't think I'll see that in my lifetime. :-(
 KP> of more than four).  But all these kinds of efforts depend on us, not
 KP> on a "they need to do something" attitude. 
Our area's big bicycle show is coming up this month.  There will be many
organizations there and I will be looking to see what's happening.  I'm
willing to do my part to enhance biking.  There should be something for
everybody who is interested without having to do things you're not
suited for.
Ok, what biking amenities do you have in your city that have come as a
result of NOTABLE, club activity, or NTCOG?  We have laws that allow
bikes to use the roads like cars do, but many drivers don't care to
acknowledge this, and winter cycling on the roads here isn't safe
because shoulders aren't completely cleaned off and the spray from
drivers makes it easier to drive ourselves.  We have this nice trail
system that isn't yet complete, but like I said, can't be used in
winter.  Nothing for bikers on public transportation except bike racks
at train stations.  That's nice if you can walk to your destination when
you get off at the other end.  No specific lanes for bikes on the road.
We've tried, and it's always a money thing.  ISTEA doesn't provide
enough, and what is provided doesn't meet the needs of *serious*
transportation.  So I'll be very interested to see what is happening at
the various organazations during this bicycle show.  Take Care,
Leah
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
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** A related thread FOLLOWS this message.

FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET      Ref: E2EM2379 Date: 02/10/97
From: DALE KRIMMER                                          Time: 06:39pm
\/To: LEAH ROZHON                                         (Read 3 times)
Subj: R: Riding


  >Our area's big bicycle show is coming up this month.  There will be many
  >organizations there and I will be looking to see what's happening.  I'm
  >willing to do my part to enhance biking.  There should be something for
  >everybody who is interested without having to do things you're not
  >suited for.
  >ISTEA doesn't provide
  >enough, and what is provided doesn't meet the needs of *serious*
  >transportation.  So I'll be very interested to see what is happening at
  >the various organazations during this bicycle show.  Take Care,
  >Leah
  >___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
  >--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12

Yeah, I just got the brochures from CABDA.  Was looking forward to that,
I've always had a good time there, even the first one that was in St.
Charles.  However, I've scheduled a ski trip to the Porkies (upper
peninsula) that weekend, leaving on Friday night and coming back Sunday,
so I'll miss the show.  Missed the auto show at McCormick this last
weekend too, but since it runs 10 days, I might still be able to get
there on the last day.  Problem is, many of the displays are starting to
be torn down on the last day.  Oh, well.  I did get signed up for the
ride across Wisconsin that is going from a north suburb of Milwaukee to
Rhinelander this year - first week in August, 400 people.  Maybe I can
talk a friend from the bike club into getting to the CABDA show, 'cause
there is always a wealth of info on all the summertime rides in the Chi.
area.  Are you and your husband planning on doing anything like that
this summer?  (week long rides)
                                       ---Dale
---
 þ QMPro 1.0 12-3333 þ ¯ìûÔÔh·¤ ŽCþhanks for hanging up, dear.

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FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET      Ref: E2B00019 Date: 02/04/97
From: DENNIS FARKAS                                         Time: 01:41pm
\/To: STEVEN MCFARLANE                                    (Read 3 times)
Subj: HELP

 SM> Received you in Shizuoka, Japan on Jan. 31.
 SM> Tailwinds to you,
 SM> Steve
 SM> ... Cyclist's rule #1:  Wherever you go, it is uphill or into the wind
 SM> ___
 SM>  * Freddie 1.2.5 * The first full-featured QWK reader for the Mac.
 SM> --- GEcho 1.00
 SM> International Echo (6:730/40)
 
Regarding your tagline, you've obviously been here in Calgary, Alberta Canada 
once or twice, haven't you? Anyways, "Howdy" from all here in Calgary and we 
hope to see you in 2005 (or even sooner). 
--- Maximus 3.01
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